Fresh & Easy Store Closures 'Relatively Significant'

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market here said last week it plans to close 12 underperforming stores temporarily over the next four weeks as part of its effort to reach profitability by the close of the fiscal year that ends in February 2013.

“There’s not enough growth in sales or customers at those stores to justify keeping them open,” said Brendan Wonnacott, a spokesman for the chain.